The Breakfast Club: Interview with Teddy Riley on his Memoir ‘Remember The Times,’ Michael Jackson, and More

Podcast: The Breakfast Club (The Black Effect Podcast Network & iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Date: February 10, 2026
Guests: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee
Special Guest: Teddy Riley

Episode Overview

This vibrant and wide-ranging interview features music icon Teddy Riley, ahead of the release of his new memoir, Remember the Times. Riley reflects on his monumental contributions to R&B, hip-hop, and pop, his relationship with Michael Jackson, the pivotal lessons he learned in the music business, his experiences fostering new talent, and his thoughts on legacy, business pitfalls, and personal growth. The hosts uncover untold stories, discuss the evolution of Riley’s artistry, and expose the triumphs and struggles that shaped both his career and character.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Teddy Riley’s Memoir: Why “Remember the Times”?

• Title significance:
  • Teddy explains that the memoir’s title, echoing Michael Jackson’s classic, is less about the song, “it’s really about people remembering where I came from… remembering when I first wanted to be in music, when I first wanted to be a star, when I got picked up on stage by Gladys Knight at five years old” (04:00).
• Purpose of the book:
  • The memoir aims to chart his journey—not just his music, but the moments, lessons, and people who defined his path.

2. Early Struggles & “Getting Kicked off the Block”

• Leaving street life for music:
  • Teddy reveals, “I used to be a hustler… my crew… they kicked me off the streets. It was like, ‘nah, you can't come back on.’ And when I did that, I felt like that was the right thing for them to do” (04:48).
  • Music became his only choice—returning to church and hustling to support his family as a single mom’s child.

3. The Virginia Beach Chapter & Community Influence

• Why Virginia Beach?
  • Drawn by “something in the water,” Teddy moved and became a catalyst for the music scene—organizing talent shows, sports tournaments, and helping locals break into radio (06:39–09:34).
• Pharrell & Chad Hugo’s discovery:
  • He recognized their raw talent, “they just went in, just freestyle…and that really intrigued me” (09:43).
  • He aimed to “find more creators and just take them to the next level.”

4. Relationship with Michael Jackson

• Brotherhood and collaboration:
  • Michael was generous and supportive (“when I had my daughter, he just bought everything for her” 11:15; gifted the first plasma TV).
  • On privacy: Michael’s stay in Virginia was cut short when his hotel privacy was breached; Teddy moved him to a senior citizen community for peace (11:54–12:54).
  • Michael’s influence and mentorship: “He was that mentor that showed me a lot of things. Like, I would call him about business and decisions, and he would call me about females. And I can say that now, you know, the non-disclosure is over.” (57:23)

5. Music Industry Hardships: Royalties, Losses & Learning Business

• Early losses:
  • "I did the Keith Sweat album, I've only made $1,500 from that to this day. But I got the publishing, but never got my royalties" (14:08).
  • He was often uncredited, motivated by artistic recognition, not business profit.
• On being ‘pimped’ by the industry:
  • “In so many aspects I've been pimped…from Gene Griffins to everybody who I've done music with and never got paid.” (22:50)
• On the need for protection:
  • “Nobody” was looking out for him as a prodigy in an adult industry (13:40).
  • “If kids do not lean on their parents, they're not going to be straight.” (21:32)

6. Label Ownership & Missed Opportunities

• Becoming a label head:
  • “I did [create a label] with Jimmy…great success. I just wasn't, you know, in the gatekeeper's room. I wasn't part of the gatekeepers, you know, I'm just totally like, outside of that.” (22:36–22:50)
• Missed iconic signings:
  • He advised Missy Elliott to go solo (25:58); knew The Brat since she was 14, and Chris Brown was brought to him as a child.

7. Champion for Groups & the Next Era

• |Guy 2.0 & keeping groups alive:
  • “That’s my goal...doing a partnership with [Hi-Five]…Guy 2.0 is the new ‘guy’. I can’t wait for y’all to hear them” (29:01–29:46).

8. Credit, Legacy, and Business Acumen

• Losing and regaining business control:
  • He once filed bankruptcy, rebuilt in California, and eventually regained his business footing (16:40).
• Sampling and clearance struggles:
  • Despite now owning his publishing, “you're still clearing my songs without my permission” (61:58).
  • “We’re getting to the bottom of it” regarding unauthorized samples and film syncs (63:01).

9. The Michael Jackson Industry Machine

• Being blocked from MJ’s BAD album:
  • “I was told by Michael that I was supposed to be on the Bad album… because of Gene. He didn’t want me to talk to you. He have to be present. And we just passed on you.” (38:00)
• On supporting Michael through scandal:
  • Teddy publicly stood up for MJ during adversity, “I went up against Oprah…all the lies… I’m so happy that actual evidence came up” (59:23).

10. Reflections: Forgiveness, Destiny, and Protection

• Forgives Gene Griffin and others who wronged him:
  • “In my book, I have a chapter that says forgiveness, and that’s what it was about.” (43:43)
• Balancing art and business, building a roadmap:
  • “Just a roadmap—watch and read about my mistakes so you don’t make them. And then read about the good things and try them. They’ll work for you.” (54:02)
• On legacy and being ‘almost famous’:
  • “I've never given the credit for it. And it's okay, because I feel like if I'm still going—40 years in this business—I'm almost famous.” (47:23–48:41)
• On the broken industry system:
  • “It never changes because…they would either like us to be in that situation or shooting at each other, you know, being against each other. That makes the money.” (46:01)
• Empowering the next generation:
  • “That's the Libra in me…You become the adult you needed as a child.” (45:07)
  • Looking forward to teaching (‘masterclass’ is coming), now that he understands his business worth (65:01).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On career-defining moments:
  • “When I got busted by the police…I felt like the most high was like, I'm gonna take you out of here…and that was my only choice, because I went back to church, played for the church, and did everything that I can to make ends meet for my family.” (04:43)
• On Michael Jackson's generosity:
  • “He just bought everything for [my daughter]; I didn't have to buy nothing.” (11:17)
• On lost music industry earnings:
  • “I've only made $1,500…from [the Keith Sweat album] to this day.” (14:08)
• On standing by Michael Jackson:
  • “I went up against Oprah...all the lies...I'm so happy that the actual evidence came up. It was all a plan. That's why I stay private.” (59:23)
• On legacy and being famous:
  • “I've never given the credit for it. And it's okay, because I feel like if I'm still going…I'm almost famous.” (47:23)
• On being an architect of the sound:
  • “I want my sound to show and there's so much I can't wait for you all to hear that I'm doing…the Symphony New Jack Swing album—guest artists and people who come and sing my music with strings. I just have a dream of doing the Carnegie Halls and something special for us as a people...” (35:08)
• On protecting the next generation:
  • “If kids do not lean on their parents, they're not going to be straight. They don't fall short.” (21:32)
• On forgiveness:
  • “I have a chapter that says forgiveness, and that's what it was about.” (43:43)

Timestamps to Key Topics

• Start: Ads/Intro
• [02:37] Introduction of Teddy Riley
• [03:33] Why the title “Remember the Times”
• [04:43] Early struggles, leaving hustling life
• [06:39] Virginia Beach, founding a music community
• [09:43] Meeting Pharrell and Chad Hugo; developing new talent
• [11:03] Michael Jackson's kindness and collaborations
• [13:21] Being a young protégé, lacking protection/mentorship
• [14:08] Royalties and business losses (Keith Sweat album)
• [16:40] Losing it all, studio troubles, rebuilding after bankruptcy
• [19:55] Including his mother’s perspective in the memoir
• [22:36] Label ownership, industry gatekeepers, missed opportunities
• [25:59] Encouraging Missy Elliott to go solo, other missed signings
• [29:01] Guy 2.0, working with modern groups
• [35:08] Creating a symphonic New Jack Swing project
• [38:00] Candid about being blocked from working on MJ’s Bad album
• [43:43] The act of forgiveness, letting go of past industry pain
• [45:46] Systemic industry issues, artists still getting “jerked”
• [47:23] Reflection on fame, “almost famous” status
• [51:56] Entering the K-Pop industry and legal battles over publishing
• [54:02] The book as a blueprint and “roadmap” for others
• [61:44] Issues with sampling, royalties, and ongoing business fights
• [63:46] What executives would be most uncomfortable confronting

Final Thoughts

Teddy Riley’s interview is as candid as it is inspiring. He shares hard lessons about business, the magic of musical collaboration, and the importance of community and mentorship. Remember the Times is positioned as both a celebration of accomplishments and a practical roadmap for aspiring talents—packed with lessons Teddy wishes he’d had when entering the industry. The episode weaves personal reminiscence with gritty industry reality, moments of regret with joy and hope, all delivered with Riley's characteristic humility and humor, and the hosts’ signature energetic warmth.

“I want my sound to show…there’s so much I can’t wait for y’all to hear that I’m doing.”—Teddy Riley (35:08)

“If kids do not lean on their parents, they're not going to be straight. They don't fall short.”—Teddy Riley (21:32)

“I've never given the credit for it. And it's okay, because I feel like if I'm still going…I'm almost famous.”—Teddy Riley (47:23)

For anyone interested in the evolution of R&B, hip-hop, or the realities of the music business, this episode is essential listening—and Riley’s memoir promises to be its perfect companion.